chi kung (ch'i
kung or qi gong)

Ch'i kung or qi gong (pronounced chee gung and henceforth spelled chi kung)
is claimed to be "the science and practice" of chi.
Chi kung literally means energy cultivation. Physical and mental health are
allegedly improved by learning how to manipulate chi through controlled
breathing, movement, and acts of will. Chi kung masters claim to be able to heal
at a distance by manipulating chi. It is even said that one can strengthen the
immune system by mastering one's chi.

Most Westerners are vaguely familiar with Kung Fu
and Tai Chi, both of which are
related to chi kung. The former is a martial art and the latter is a type of
exercise, or internal martial art. The former is sometimes known for demonstrations of
breaking bricks with bare hands. The latter is known for the graceful poses of its
practitioners. These demonstrations, and stories of even more powerful demonstrations, are
offered as evidence of the paranormal or supernatural power that comes to those who master
chi.

Asian martial arts schools have become very popular in the West. There is certainly a
good side to these training centers for children and adults. They encourage attention to
diet and physical exercise. They cultivate physical strength and mental self-discipline.
Many focus on self-defense, and they boost self-confidence and self-esteem, even if they
don't really make one invincible. However, they also often encourage students to believe
they can achieve supernatural or paranormal powers, or heal just about any illness by an
act of will, by training and discipline under a "master."

What empirical evidence is there for chi or its harnessing? Testimonials and self-validating statements
are offered in lieu of controlled scientific tests.
Nevertheless, advocates are convinced they are not deluded in their metaphysical
explanations. The acupuncturist is convinced he or she is
unblocking chi. The reiki therapist and
therapeutic touch nurse think they are channeling ki or prana.
The Reichians think they can heal the body by harnessing and directing orgone. As a philosophy, chi kung and its relatives may provide one
with a sense of harmony, power and meaning. As a metaphysical belief there is no way to
disprove the existence of chi. However, explanations of events in terms of
controlling and harnessing chi are superfluous by Occam's razor.

The most convincing evidence are the demonstrations
given by so-called masters of various martial arts who claim to use chi to
knock out people without touching them. As long as those being knocked about
are believers, the demonstrations work. As soon as a skeptic enters the
ring, the powers fail. Why? One explanation is that the believers are acting
as they believe they are supposed to act. They are role-playing, which is
not to say that they are not sincere. Nor is it to say that they are
pretending. They are acting according to suggestions, much the way people
act on stage with a stage hypnotist. Before making up your mind about chi
masters, look at thi video clip of Yanagi Ryuken who tries to use chi to
ward off an attacker in a demonstration.

Then look at these two videos of chi masters. Dillman
demonstrates not the power of chi, but the power of suggestion. The fellow
in the Phillipines demonstrates what can happen when you play with sharp
swords and can't stop your slice fast enough to make it look like energy
protected you.